Page 10 of The Dallas Dilemma

“No,” I say, my voice a bit sharp. When they stare at me with matching raised eyebrows, I blow out a long breath. “There was someone…someone I thought was serious, but we broke up last year.”

They both nod, obviously sensing I don’t want to say more on the subject. Linc holds up his beer and grins at me.

“I’m single, too, so if you ever want a wingman to introduce you around, I’m your guy.”

“Thanks,” I say with a chuckle.

“I am decidedlynotsingle, but I can still be a wingman,” Royal says.

“If you want to meet stuffy teachers,” Linc quips, then pales at Royal’s pointed look. “Kidding! Please don’t tell her I said that.”

Royal smirks, and at my questioning look, his smirk widens into a full grin. “My girlfriend is a teacher, too. We actually work together.”

I jerk my head toward Linc. “And this guy is scared of her?”

“Terrified,” Royal says in a deep voice, and Linc laughs.

“No, she’s great,” he says. “I just don’t want her to be mad at me. Woman can hold a grudge like nobody’s business. Just ask Royal.”

I look at Royal, and he chuckles. “We might’ve gotten off on the wrong foot in the beginning.”

“She hated his guts,” Linc says on a cough.

Before I can get more of the story, a voice rings out through the bar announcing the start of karaoke. Royal claps his hands, then rubs them together like an evil villain in a black and white movie. I look at Linc, who rolls his eyes.

“I’ll be right back,” Royal says before hopping up and striding toward the podium near the stage.

“He likes karaoke, I take it,” I say to Linc with raised brows.

“Both he and his girlfriend do,” he says with a shake of his head and a laugh. “They come here, a lot. Sometimes they sing together, but lately, it’s become a competition to see who can get the loudest applause. This is Royal’s chance to practice without her.”

“That’s awesome,” I say with a chuckle. “They sound like a really fun couple.”

“They are. And Royal will never win. She’s a much better singer than he is,” he says, then leans forward like he’s telling me a secret. “And what my dear brother doesn’t know is that she’s worked behind his back, convincing all the regulars to only clap for her. It’s hilarious how hard he tries.”

I grin and take a sip of my beer as he leans back to his previous position. I actually love that. A couple having fun and being competitive in something they both enjoy. My smile falls as I think about my ex. Did we ever shareanything like that? Something silly and special to both of us?

Nothing comes to mind, and that’s just…sad. But also revealing. Did I build that relationship up in my head because I wantedher? Or was it the idea of being in love and sharing forever with someone that I wanted so much?

I watch Royal as he returns with a big, goofy smile on his face. I can tell it’s not just about the karaoke. He’s thinking about his girlfriend, and how this practice will affect their little competition. I can practically see hearts in his eyes, and I know that’s what I want.

Not the singing. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. But that special connection to another person. Someone to share my life with. Someone I can have fun with on the ride.

Someone who’ll be my person and will consider me their person, as well.

And maybe Grenville is the place where I’ll find her. Whoever she is.

CHAPTER FIVE

Joey

DFW@BodaciousBuckaroo211

Valentine’s Day is coming, and I hate how incredibly single it makes single people feel.

34 ?16 ?78

JoeyB@JoeVSVolcano

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